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Madison's newest brewery, Karben4 Brewing, started making beer this past weekend. Located in the former Ale Asylum space on Kinsman Boulevard, it is owned and operated by three Appleton natives, brothers Ryan and Zak Koga, and Alex Evans. They plan a soft opening for their taproom the weekend after Christmas, with a grand opening in January.

Karben4 Brewing hasn't been around too long. After debuting at the end of last year, the new north Madison brewery held a grand opening celebration in January. All six of its beers to date have been well made, but it's the black and hoppy Silk Scorpion that has become an early favorite.

Craft brewing is on the rise. The small-volume startups once called microbreweries (it seems that term has gone out of fashion) are filling tap lines at an increasing number of bars and restaurants. But those seeking beer direct from the source head to the taproom. In Madison, there's a boom of these brewery-operated drinking establishments.

Despite his recent success with assertively bitter beers, it's SamuRyePA that best reflects Ryan Koga's interest in blending malts and hops for unique flavor. One of the first brews he introduced to Madison, it has become a standard offering at Karben4.

Fans of the Oktoberfest style love its smooth, caramel, malty tones. These lagers have been appearing on local shelves for nearly two months now, but Karben4 has just released its version -- Oaktober Ale -- with a unique twist on tradition. Brewmaster Ryan Koga makes his as an ale and ferments it with oak chips. The result is a wonderfully complex brew, full of woody, leafy, and bready maltiness.

Karben4 brewmaster Ryan Koga is creating a buzz with his latest beer, which is made without any hops. The buzz is even stronger because he is using coffee to replace the bitter aroma and flavor that hops typically provide.

There are a couple of ways to go if you're looking for a traditional Irish beer for St. Patrick's Day. There's the dry Irish stout, nearly synonymous with Guinness. Then there's the Irish Red, an ale known for being smooth, malty and pleasant. "It'll transport you right to Dublin," says Karben4 brewmaster Ryan Koga about Lady Luck, his take on an Irish Red.

The words "Fantasy Factory" take on special meaning amidst the whirl and hum of a brewery built upon both dreams and hard work. On Saturday, another idea became reality when Karben4 Brewing fired up some long-dormant machinery for the first time and started filling bottles with its most popular beer, Fantasy Factory India Pale Ale.

Champagne Tortoise is a draught-only beer currently available in the Karben4 taproom. Karben4 head brewer Jeff Olson teamed up with brewmaster Ryan Koga to develop a recipe with a pleasant blend of English malts, hops and yeast.